Man found dead in Susquehanna jumped off bridge in January to flee police

Ted Czech
York Daily Record

A man whose body was found on an island in the Susquehanna River on Saturday has been identified as the same person who fled from Harrisburg Police by jumping off the Harvey Taylor Bridge in January.

The Harrisburg Bureau of Police identified the man as 37-year-old Sean Walton, according to a news release on Sunday.

About 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Harrisburg Police were advised by the Dauphin County Communications that fishermen had spotted what they believed was a deceased male on an island across from the PennDot Building.

Police responded to the Dock Street Dam and with the help of River Rescue, were able to find Walton's body. He appeared to have been dead for some time, the release states.

 

Sean Walton, identified as the man found dead  on an island in the Susquehanna River late Saturday afternoon, across from the PennDot Building, located in the Harrisburg city limits.

Fled from police

About 1 a.m. on Jan. 5, Harrisburg Police responded to the Harvey Taylor Bridge for a man who "may have been involved in an accident earlier on 3rd & Forster Street," according to a news release.

Police arrived on scene and the man, later identified as Walton, fled from them.

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"Officers were able to see that the male had some type of head injury.," the release states. "The male went to the bridge wall and jumped over.  Officers heard the male strike the water but did not see him in the water."

Police called members of the Harrisburg Fire Department and River Rescue to the area and launched a search, which lasted for two days without any resolution, according to the release. 

How to help

Anyone with relevant information regarding this case is asked to contact the Harrisburg Bureau of Police at (717) 558-6900 or submit the information through Crime Watch.